OnWatch

Australian Marketplace Connections Inc.

Australia Day 2008 220th Anniversary of the Gospel's arrival in Australia	Bulletin 2008-02

How did this happen?

 

In the photo above we can see the Endeavour replica birthed at the Australian National Maritime Museum at Darling Harbour, Sydney. She is a reproduction of Captain Cook's famous ship from his voyages of discovery. Click here for more information on the Endeavour replica story.

 

In this remarkable photo we see the Endeavour replica contrasted before the metropolis of Sydney in January 2008. In just 220 years we have grown from an indigenous population + 1373 arrivals on the first fleet, to a population of 20 million!

 

In our last OnWatch we explored the significance of the number 7 representing God's perfection as in creation - and the number 8 representing new beginnings. Click here to review purposeful recurrences of the numbers 7 and 8 across the panorama of the Bible.

 

So what year did the Gospel arrive in Australia?
 

It was 1788, a year whose numbers represent the perfection of the Gospel (7) and new beginnings for Australia in Christ (8). This was in line with the plans and purposes of God, following de Quiros prophetic claim on Australia as the "Great Southland of the Holy Spirit" in 1606.  Click here to read further about de Quiros claim on Australia for Christ.

 

And who was responsible for seeing to it that the Gospel arrived in Australia on the First Fleet? William Wilberforce and John Newton (author of Amazing Grace) had intervened with British Prime Minister William Pitt to have a Chaplain onboard the first fleet under the command of Captain Arthur Phillip. Newton and Wilberforce then chose the Rev. Richard Johnson as the first Chaplain to Australia. Click here to read more about Wilberforce.

 

 

“..the idea of leaving my parents, friends and the respectful connections,.. the dangers of the sea; the description of the people I was going with… to the very ends of the earth... These ideas so impressed my mind with fear and terror that I... almost resolved, to decline the offer. But on the other hand; when I consider... the hopes and prospects of being rendered useful in the reformation of those poor and abandoned people, the power and the promises of God to protect me in any place... I followed the leading of Providence; and the prospects of a glorious reward hereafter, laid up in heaven for God’s faithful servants... induced me to give my free consent to enter this hazardous expedition.”

 

Johnson was so sure of his calling that he was the only member of the First Fleet who actually paid his own passage! He Was A Man Filled With God’s Love.

Johnson had such a heart for the convicts, many of them prostitutes and thieves, that he could be heard alone at night crying out to God on their behalf. Johnson pleaded with the Lord that he might have the gift, the ability and anointing to lead these people to Christ. Consequently God answered that prayer and many did accept Jesus as their Lord: Johnson believed: “From the very beginning, God’s sovereign purpose has been clear. There is a destiny for this nation.”

 

This article is being written on Sunday 27 January 2008 - exactly 220 years after Sunday 27 January 1788, when Johnson gathered a group of believers around him to pray. It was a time to thank God for their safe deliverance and to preach God’s Word for the first time in Australia. The sermon he chose for the first message was from Psalm 116:12 - “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?”

 

And so the Gospel was planted in the 'Great South Land of the Holy Spirit' for the first time.

 

In the above pictures you will also see the Australian Coat of Arms. Two of the national emblems of Australia are the Kangaroo and the Emu, chosen as two Australian animals that have one thing in common. Do you know what that is?

 

Neither the Kangaroo of the Emu can walk backwards!

 

It's important to remember our Christian heritage in order to refresh our calling as Christian brothers and sisters who should stand tall in Australia. We are the Gospel message bearers walking in the footsteps of Newton, Wilberforce and Johnson - people who have integrated Jesus Christ into the very fibre of Australian life. We are the vision bearers walking in the steps of de Quiros, carrying forward the claim on Australia as the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit.

 

So be proud of who you are in Christ. And like the Kangaroo and the Emu never walk backwards as great Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God in Australia. Like Richard Johnson plead with the Lord that you might have the gift, the ability and anointing to lead people in your sphere of influence to Christ.

 

This is part of a great and noble destiny. We have a call to fulfil - in as many days as the Lord may grant us on this land. Like never before our country needs us to be great living letters of Jesus Christ in our daily occupations (2 Cor 3:3).

 

Peter

Peter Kentley
Australian Marketplace Connections
airborne778@gmail.com

• Click here to review purposeful recurrences of the numbers 7 and 8 across the panorama of the Bible.

• Click here to read further about de Quiros claim on Australia for Christ.

• Click here to read more about Wilberforce in marketplace ministry.

• Click here for more information on the Endeavour replica story.

PS1: for your diary - planning is under way for a special Christian assembly in Canberra on 08.08.08.

 

PS2: We also note that another great explorer like James Cook, Sir Edmund Hillary, died aged 88 in 2008. After a life of exploration and humble service to others we pray he now enjoys new beginnings with Christ in eternity.

 

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